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Leicestershire's Direct Trade Bags has growth in the bag

01 May 2018

The UK’s largest supplier and printer of eco-friendly, multi-use promotional bags has recently secured a multi-million pound funding package from Barclays to further expand the business.

Leicestershire-based Direct Trade Bags, which was established in 2008, and is based on the Crown Business Park in Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray. The company, which recently acquired specialist t-shirt and garment decorating business Direct Textile Designs, also operates from sites in Lincoln and Barnsley. As a group, they are on track to achieve £13m turnover this year which has risen from £3m since 2013.

They specialise in the decoration of t-shirts, garments and promotional bags using multiple decoration techniques from screen, transfer, digital and embroidery on a wholesale basis and currently produce in excess of one million bags and 300,000 t-shirts per month.

The funding has enabled the business to carry out the recent Direct Textiles acquisition and has also provided the working capital support to help deliver their growth plans. In addition, the business has recently concluded the development of a brand new embroidery and storage unit at the Old Dalby site, increasing the total size of the group premises to more than 70,000 sq ft.

The company currently employs 160 people – a figure which is set to increase with the expansion of the business.

Chairman of Direct Trade Bags Group, Greg Towne said: “Having identified a niche in the market for UK based production and service and to support the need for high capacity, quick delivery printing of promotional items such as t-shirts and bags, we have set up a business that has gone from strength to strength, and has achieved year on year growth as well as creating lots of job opportunities for local people. The support of Barclays as a trusted advisor to the business has ensured that we have achieved sustainable growth which holds the business in good stead for future growth.

Ashley Hallam, Relationship Director at Barclays commented: “Direct Trade Bags have enjoyed tremendous growth since their inception in 2008. I am delighted we are able to support Greg and his team in the latest phase of their development.”